Life and Lies of Bhangarh

The milestones, the kilometers that have gone,

Excitement and smiles from dusk to dawn,

The ruins that have lost the charm through ages,

A history unwritten in the dark of pages,

The eyes are delusional and beauty is obsolete,

From mile to mile, another Journey we complete.

My fellow mates would never approve of this troublesome adventure we had couple of days ago, never mind I am sure Robert Frost would turn in his grave after having his rather amazing poem interpreted in such a mannerism which he would in his senses never approve, well much to his discomfort and to our excitement we did what he said and landed up in the middle of nowhere.

I have never really prized my inability to find roads but then that’s how we enjoy with the uncertainty principle , if you know me properly I have never really found out a way but eventually I get to my destination, but of course there are diversions and detours but then what's life without a few twists and turns (my driver would disagree on this) and plus it’s not every day that I take my Innova to 150 km/hr, next Reliance and Airtel would boast of their 3G and what not, but to be entirely honest with you , nothing of that sorts really work , out there in the open you are on your own , your brain is your 3G and your eyes your map , one wrong turn and you can find yourself in serious trouble . Once again I’d like to mention that trouble had followed me everywhere be it France, Germany and now finally India but I somehow manage to get out and this time I got a little help as well primarily from Sid , I can’t exactly say he was of much help but at least he kept us entertained for a bit .

Starting with the trip finally, I must warn you not to trust Google maps ever in your life when you are in India, it nearly got us mauled at our respective places, so we started late and got stuck again in traffic and at random construction sites which didn't really help us, starved and bored we eventually decided to make a quick stop at 80th milestone to Jaipur which offered some relief to our perturbed souls as we were already very late but we were determined to make it to Bhangarh at any cost so we continued our way, next we took a turn towards Dausa. I have traveled a lot on Indian roads and I can assure you that a SH or a state highway is pathetically built and is more like a make-shift concrete road but to my surprise it was one of the finest roads I have seen in my life (not in comparison to the German Autobahn), anyways my off-roader was soaring at unexpected speeds and after 5 minutes we would have to stop to ask for the way and to out actual surprise this time we were lost because the highly literate (!) people told us to continue on the same road for 20 odd kilometers and then we actually traveled 100 kilometers like that and lost a lot of time, it would be a sin if I don't mention the sights and the hills there, the rays of the sun kissing the clouds and the shimmering effect creating mirages on roads adding to moment , after getting exhausted and really worried we finally found out the way and this time it wasn't 20 kilometers , it was 15 (one would think that we are all bunch of retards crying for 5 kms but trust me, you would as well).

The sun was at the hilt and the climate wasn't really the best but we were really determined and then it was there, the Bhangarh ruins stood in front of us , only the looked much less horrific as compared to their descriptions on Aajtak and random blogs . Bhangarh , one can debate is a ram-shackled shack from a distance and I would think twice before entering the premises at night,  it’s one of those places you have seen in those ridiculous horror shows on TV which tell you not to mess about such places , I won't totally agree to whatever is written on the internet about such places . We had traveled about 310 kilometers on a useless national highway, an amazing stretch of state highway and then no roads at all. When our patience was finally about to give in, we spotted the board. For namesake though , the Archeological survey of India keeps the "monument" in one piece (well at least they try to , but shameless lovers never really understand that by writing names on the grey walls their love doesn't become immortal , all they do is just ruin one of the few remaining monuments). We got down and entered the fortifications of the ever so dangerous ruins, it is about 1.6 km walk roughly to the main ruins, and the road is flanked by what used to be a market, dance halls and a few temples in and around the vicinity. The first few 900 meters is a straight road which finally leads to a big arch of a gate through which you make your way to the royal gardens where you can spot a monkey or two sitting around sunbathing , the remaining leg of the trek is divided into a steep climb (which is actually very steep) and the rest by broken stairs and hidden passages to the main shrine , it took us a lot of effort to climb the main galley only to find bats above us sleeping in peace, it was a very good idea indeed not to use flash there or we would risk a few lives for sure (or maybe a few faces ). Then my friends got so engrossed in clicking pictures especially Sid...after clicking some fantabulous pictures and about 20 minutes I just gave the camera to the models and got lost in the view.

For a moment I closed my eyes and imagined how the place look on a perfect moonlit night , then on an another instant I looked up saw the Aravalli hills mushrooming all over the place , it is not exactly the way one would define beauty, but to me it did make a lot of sense , it’s weird how I appreciate my ability to spot beauty in ruins , maybe sometimes all it takes is change of vision , it’s always easy to find and nurture beauty in good things but it’s very difficult to locate it where you least expect it, Bhangarh similarly is one such beauty lost in the sands of time .

With that thought, another wind blows and it was time for us to bid goodbye to that place but I promised to myself that I would return to this place once again to enjoy the view. I forgot to mention, Abhishek, one of our friends got a cut his hand while posing for a photograph and things went completely turbulent after that. The locals were hell-bent on making us believe that the fort’s ghost did that to him. I don't really believe in that nonsense  but yes from that very moment the road wasn't the same for us , literally , all of us got very late on the way and got home at about midnight , about 210 kilometers and a thousand excuses; later we were at my place , tired and scared , a memory in all our hearts . We won’t forget this trip for a long time.

Like Robert Frost said, we took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference. 

Adios Amigos 
Piyush

20 Days of Incredible India with my Student Organisation - Madli Pindmaa

I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in June 2010 in India with AEGEE (European Students’ Forum), which is the biggest interdisciplinary student association in Europe. 2010 marked a special year to AEGEE not only because it got 25 years old but also due to the fact that for the first time in history it sent its members to explore other continents. The case-study trip (CST) to India was part of a bigger project called Beyond Europe and it involved sending 20 participants from Europe to India and working with topics related to United Nations’ Millenium Development Goals (UN MDGs).

We started out the project in Baroda, a small and very untouristy city in India with ca 1.5 mln inhabitants in Gujarat state and ended up in New Delhi, a buzzing capital of this incredible country. The aim of the CST India was to empower young people in Europe to contribute to the achievement of the UN MDGs and thus all the program was related to getting to know the respective situation in India.

During the time in India our days were full of different visits to schools, hospitals, NGOs, slums, and other projects where we managed to get an overview of their activities, ask questions, as well as carry out our own program on the spot. One of the best days for me was when we were split into smaller groups and my group was visiting a waste pickers’ union in a really hardcore slum to talk about their life as well as to answer any questions they had. Being a regular tourist one would never be able to access this kind of slums without some confrontations leave alone getting that personal contact of the inhabitants. For all the participants in our group this was a really big experience that also broadened our mind a lot.

Additional highlights for me were for instance a drawing competition we made for different primary schools, a tour by a former street child in Delhi, going door-to-door in a slum making a questionnaire with local students, and a visit to a traditional Indian family in a remote village.  

After these 3 weeks it is still hard to describe India in only couple of sentences. It really is a mix of everything – shiny happy people, cows, elephants, camels and dirt on the street, amazing culture and music, deeply rooted religion, extreme poverty versus extreme wealth, etc etc. Also, imagine a challenge you’d have when being in India for the first time and having to organise a 3 weeks of program for ca 30 people. Despite we had local partners in India, the program was organised by a team of young Europeans, and by the end of the event we can say they were very successful beating their challenge…  

All in all, after getting an initial grasp of the country and realising how chaotic it was, I figured out that there is still a structure in this kind of country and nothing will be undone despite it is done a bit differently than we Europeans are used to. ;) And of course, three weeks is not enough to get a whole picture of India – thus I’m looking forward to my return to this country to explore more.

If you’re interested in reading more about our activities in India then during the CST we also kept a blog that is written by different participants and can be found here: http://cstindia.wordpress.com/ While CST India was only one part of the Beyond Europe’s UN MDG’s initiative, then you can check more information about other activities here: http://www.projects.aegee.org/beyondeurope/ And if you want to get more up-to-date about UN MDGs and their progress, feel free to check: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/reports.shtml    

Madli Pindmaa

India - Alexandra Campmas

India

We've waited this moment for a long time... And it finally arrived, indeed, the 23th of October, in the evening, we were in the plane, hurry to arrive and see India. Through the windows we were looking toward the huge city, for me it was completely different than European cities. Then my first impression when we put our foot for the first time on the earth was the difference with the air: it was hot and we noticed smoke in the sky, Mr Pierre Clouet explained us that it was usual in winter and it was also composed of pollution. 

The first day in Delhi, I was a little bit lost, like if I was not in the right place... because I didn't have any European reference marks. And monkeys came in the hotel I was confused because it's really not usual in our country, but I found this very funny. I acknowledge that these first days it was hard to adapt me. And especially with the food... The spice food was burning me ! And at breakfast, I was not accustomed to eat it... ! I know that when we are invited in another country we have to adapt us and eat the specialties... I tried of course ! 

Well, I think that the first day I had a little “culture chock”, some situations touched me: like to see sweet children in the street crying and asking money to eat, some persons who slept on the walk street or on the grass, all the Indian who ask to buy something, some handicapped persons laying on the floor... The most upsetting situation in which I was, was when we were in Delhi, waiting for the bus with Mr Vijay Kumar, a little boy came, he was maybe 4 years old, he was crying a lot and ask to eat. I didn't have sweets any more, I felt guilty to have this chance to travel, to have clean clothes without holes, to have the chance to sleep and eat whenever I want...

Finally, some days after, when I heard the speech of a man in the Cefipra the evening which said that we should try to not judge, I understood a new thing. And the day after I said to myself “play this game” and I tried... Immediately I felt better, and days after days I thought that I had always lived in India ! I'm still missing the traffic on the road, I loved the way you drive ! I would like have the same in France ! 

I found this travel more than marvelous, the sightseeing was (and is) exceptional, (I understand better why the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world...). And I forget to say the most important thing: I've never seen people so nice that in India. Thank to Mr Vijay Kumar, Mr Jain and Mrs Sathidevi who joined us, thank to you, Mr Shiva Prasad and all the Cefipra. I will never forget all of you, your kindness and all these wonderful moments that I spend in India. I hope that one day I will be able to come back again. 

Campmas Alexandra.
Bordeaux, France

Indian History: as and when it happened!

5000 Years Ago, Indus Valley Civilization:

Indian subcontinent has a history which dates back to more than 5000 years back. Its origins lie on the banks of the

river Indus and thus came to be known as the Indus Valley Civilization. The roots of numerous ideas and philosophies can still be traced back to India.

Soon after the Indus Valley Civilization laid down the foundation of India and Indian history, the Dravidians came in as the inhabitants of this civilization which was called the Harappan culture and flourished for 1000 years. Gradually, Aryan tribes started infiltrating from Afghanistan and Central Asia, around 1500 B.C. They occupied the whole of the northern parts of India up to the Vindhya Hills. Thus the Dravidians were urged to move to the southern parts of India. The Aryans brought new ideas, new technology and new gods with them and this became an important era in the history of India. The Aryan tribe started expanding and was grouped into sixteen kingdoms, of which Kosala and Magadha were the most powerful ones in the 5th century B.C.

Around 500 BC, Invasion by Persians followed by Maurya Dynasty:

The next great invasion was around 500 BC by the Persian kings Cyrus and Darius. They conquered the Indus valley but then India went through times of speculation and indefiniteness. Then in 327 BC India again came into light due to the invasions of Alexander the great, from Macedonia. Although, he was not able to extend his powers into India.

After the Greek power receded there was a phase of uncertainty and that was when Indian history's first imperial dynasty, the Maurya Dynasty came into power. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, this dynasty reached its height under King Ashoka. He has given many historical monuments and inscriptions. But after his death there came no other kings as powerful as him and so there was chaos again fragmenting India into smaller kingdom.

1000 AD, Decline of Chandragupta & rise in Muslim Invasions:

It was during this time that Chandragupta II became the unifying force in northern India. India is said to have enjoyed its golden period during this time – under the Gupta dynasty. Though not as big as the Mauryan Empire, it saw huge developments in the field of art and architecture, the highlight being the Ajanta and Ellora caves. There was confusion again after the Gupta Dynasty and many regional powers rose until the Muslim invasions in 1000 AD.

Indian History, in the meantime, also saw the rise of some powerful kingdoms like the Satavahanas, kalingas and Vakatakas in the southern part of India. Later the dynasties like Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Chalukyas and Pallavas came into prominence.

The political instability gave opportunity to the Muslim invaders who raided the North India successfully under Mahmud of Ghazni. The next invasion was by Mahmud of Ghauri who established foreign rule in India. Many of the famous dynasties like the Slave Dynasty, Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty,  Saiyyid and Lodhi, Bahmani Dynasty, and Others came after that.

16th Century, Decline of the Mughal Dynasty:

In the 16th century, Indian history saw the Mughal dynasty getting established by Babur, which lasted for 200 magnificent years. 

Some of the important rulers during this period were Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. This period saw an amalgamation of Indian, Persian and Central Asian influences in the field of art and architecture. Though brief, the era saw a golden age of art and literature for the whole of Indian subcontinent.  Many monuments like the forts, palaces, gates, buildings, mosques, gardens were built during this period, the most notable being the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. During this period India saw the most efficient administration.

As the Mughal Empire faded out, other foreign invasions started from the 15th century. India was a country rich with spices and minerals and so was made the target for invasions and colonization - starting with the arrival of Vasco da Gama in Goa. Later came the trading post by the East India Company in Gujrat. Gradually East India Company established trading posts in various other cities like Madras, Calcutta and Bombay. This commercial link later turned into administrative control. The French also established themselves in a few parts. There were continuous struggle between British and French emperors for establishing supremacy. Eventually, the victory in the battle of Plassey established the dominance of British in the subcontinent.

18th Century in Indian History, Britisher's Arrive:

The East India Company slowly overtook the commands of entire India, and the first war of Indian independence took place in 1857 after which India was taken over by the British government who ruled India for three hundred years, with the help of local rulers. Gradually the people of India felt the need for independence and many socio-religious movements inspired patriotism amongst the masses and the struggle for independence became a national movement.

People like Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bosh, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu, Chander Shekhar Azad were the pioneers of the movement. Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings of truth and non-violence paved way for eventual ousting of the British. He worked with Jawaharlal Nehru to campaign against British rule. The struggle turned fruitful when the British decided to quit India.

Mid 19th Century, India achieves freedom:

But much damage was done by then, because many Muslims felt that an independent India meant a Hindu dominated India. This led to the demand of a separate Muslim region – Pakistan. On 15th august 1947, India was declared completely independent after 350 long years of struggle and turmoil. Pakistan was also created which included Bangladesh, again a place with Muslim majority.

Then on 26th January, 1950 India adopted a new constitution and became a republic. Since then India has worked hard to achieve heights in justice, media and bureaucracy.

India Now!

Today India has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Rapid growth in the fields of science, eductaion and technology has seen Indian's occupying important positions through out the world. From Indra Noori as head of Pepsi Co to Amrtya Sen winning booker prizes in Literature, from Lakhsmi Mittal featuring among the richest persons in the world to providng a substantial workforce to most of the countries, we Indian's are now truly reaching towards our goal of making India a super power.

Insurance

The history of Insurance in India dates back to 1818, when Oriental Life Insurance Company was established by Europeans in Kolkata to cater to their requirements. Nevertheless, there was discrimination among the life of foreigners and Indians, as higher premiums were charged from the latter. In 1870, Indians took a sigh of relief when Bombay Mutual Life Assurance Society, the first Indian insurance company covered Indian lives at normal rates. Onset of the 20th century brought a drastic change in the Insurance sector. 

In 1912, the Govt. of India passed two acts - the Life Insurance Companies Act, and the Provident Fund Act - to regulate the insurance business. National Insurance Company Ltd, founded in 1906, is the oldest existing insurance company in India. Earlier, the Insurance sector had only two state insurers - Life Insurers i.e. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), and General Insurers i.e. General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC). In December 2000, these subsidiaries were de-linked from parent company and were declared independent insurance companies: Oriental Insurance Company Limited, New India Assurance Company Limited, National Insurance Company Limited and United India Insurance Company Limited. 

RBI

The central bank of the country is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It was established in April 1935 with a share capital of Rs. 5 crores on the basis of the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission. The share capital was divided into shares of Rs. 100 each fully paid which was entirely owned by private shareholders in the beginning. The Government held shares of nominal value of Rs. 2,20,000.

Reserve Bank of India was nationalised in the year 1949. The general superintendence and direction of the Bank is entrusted to Central Board of Directors of 20 members, the Governor and four Deputy Governors, one Government official from the Ministry of Finance, ten nominated Directors by the Government to give representation to important elements in the economic life of the country, and four nominated Directors by the Central Government to represent the four local Boards with the headquarters at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi. Local Boards consist of five members each Central Government appointed for a term of four years to represent territorial and economic interests and the interests of co-operative and indigenous banks.

The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was commenced on April 1, 1935. The Act, 1934 (II of 1934) provides the statutory basis of the functioning of the Bank.

The Bank was constituted for the need of following:

• To regulate the issue of banknotes
• To maintain reserves with a view to securing monetary stability and
• To operate the credit and currency system of the country to its advantage.